ps3 wont recognize disks

Kenshindono

Kenshindono

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so i was watching a BD and it froze up. I tried rewinding, doing a bunch of stuff, nothing worked. so i manually turned it off. When i turned it back on and ejected the disk there was a smear of something on the disk, i figured thats what messed it up. I cleaned it and tried to play the disk again... nothing.

I tried other disks, nothing. I tried a game, nothing. It doesn't recognize the disk. You dont get the little icon that pops up. it will play video files i have on the drive already but cant seem to get it to recognize the disk.

anyone have any idea whats wrong and what i can do to fix this? its out of warranty and i dont think it died. Maybe some data got corrupted? That sucks because i was gonna watch a few BDs tonight
 
Most likely the disc drive laser died. Happened to me.

You can fix it yourself, or send it to Sony. Also which model do you have?
 
original fat.. dont think the drive is dead. Isn't it possible something got corrupt since i turned it off improperly? not sure how to recover from that
 
Try the file restore, as that sometimes fixes freezing issues. But since you said it's not reading anything, I'm gonna have to agree with j-cart and say the laser is screwed.

Here's a guide to tell you how to get into the PS3's 'safe mode menu' to be able to run the Restore File System option(3 or 4 on the list I think):

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/10/14/keep-your-ps3-safe-with-this-guide/

As for repairing the problem, if you think you're tech savvy enough you can try replacing the laser on your own. It should cost you UNDER $100 for a replacement laser at this point. If you send it to Sony though, it's going to cost a minimum of I believe $150($180 if you have a BC model).
 
Same thing happened to me a while back, but I figured I'd just wait for E3 and a possible pricedrop. That and I'm waiting to see how this whole PSN thing plays out.
 
wanted to specify it doesn't even give the disk icon when i put the BD or game into the ps3. I dont hear it start up too. Its like it doesn't even recognize it. Im wondering if i damaged something (drivers or something?) when i manually turned it off when it froze up like that. I did get a message when i started it back up saying not to turn it off like that as it can damage the system.

Honestly i gotta ask though. What the hell ARE you supposed to do when it freezes up like that? How do you turn it off?

anyway that safe mode link is useful but that sounds pretty extreme. I notice 3 and 4 talk about either restore filesystem, or rebuild database. Not sure which id want to try. Maybe rebuild database? Isn't there a backup utility and way to reset the system to factory default? Im thinking something like that may reset the drivers, but i want to definitely back up my saves and junk. Anyone know the process to do that?

@DOminator did you ever get it working or not? Is it the same problem as mine or does the icon show up and it just doesn't play?

oh and @iamthecheapest. What do you mean by BC console? Maybe ill call sony and see what they can do if i cant fix it.. maybe make a coment about this coupled with the psn network problems make me want to just give the system up and go to xbox
 
You want the Restore File System option. It usually helps when games freeze often. That typically happens when someone adds/deletes stuff regularly from their PS3. It's like the PS3's version of a defragging program.

What I meant by BC console is whether or not it's one of the 20 or 60gb models that came out for $500-600 originally when the PS3 first came out. If so, then Sony usually wants $180 to fix anything that's wrong with those.

As for the full restore option, that usually takes 3+ hours and it may not even fix the issue. Plus some games save files are locked to the HDD and you won't be able to copy them without copying everything else on the HDD with it.
 
Same thing happened to my PS3 80GB. Luckily it was under warranty and they fixed it. The same thing happened to a friend of mine and it was not under warranty anymore they had to pay around $150 for them to fix it.
 
How did you 'manually' turn it off? The touch button on front or the main power switch in back? NEVER use the back switch when it's froze up.
 
[quote name='Kenshindono']@DOminator did you ever get it working or not? Is it the same problem as mine or does the icon show up and it just doesn't play?[/QUOTE]

Literally the exact same problem as yours. It would still accept and eject the disc, but no icon pops up when you put it in. It's as if the disc never existed. Trust me when I'm telling you its a dead BR drive. It's actually a very common problem among all PS3s. For example, I had a slim that was just over a year old (and therefore out of warranty) and it happened to me. If you call Sony, they'll fix it for $150 (standard price). I'm assuming a price drop would mean it would be cheaper to replace through Sony, so I've still got my busted PS3 lying in a corner. Plus it technically can still get online/play demos so I'm holding on to it in case theres a beta or something I want to play.
 
you said you tried different disks and no go. my ps3 did this but it would still take regular dvd's movies and work. to fix that all i had to do was format the hard drive. not sure that really helps but hope you get it fixed soon.
 
[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']You want the Restore File System option. It usually helps when games freeze often. That typically happens when someone adds/deletes stuff regularly from their PS3. It's like the PS3's version of a defragging program.

What I meant by BC console is whether or not it's one of the 20 or 60gb models that came out for $500-600 originally when the PS3 first came out. If so, then Sony usually wants $180 to fix anything that's wrong with those.

As for the full restore option, that usually takes 3+ hours and it may not even fix the issue. Plus some games save files are locked to the HDD and you won't be able to copy them without copying everything else on the HDD with it.[/QUOTE]

thanks i'll try that this week. I was gone for most of mothers day weekend so didn't really do much. I borrowed a friends ps3 for now to try maybe backing stuff up or just to have a BD player in the meantime. Doing the 3rd option, the file restore that you mention: do i have to back stuff up? It wont delete my save game data will it?


@shadowkast i think i tried manually holding down the power button but that didnt work so i believe i actually flipped the switch on the back =( This is the main reason i think i may have just corrupted something on the HD

bottom line is it sounds like some people are swearing the BD lens died, others are saying it can be fixed with a HD format or the restore file system option. I really hope the BD lens isn't dead, and i would think if it was it would at least show the icons just not play them. I will have to try the restore file system this week, but would like to know if that actually wipes the HD or saves first. I really dont plan on shelling out 150 bucks for sony to repair it. Thats way too much. For that price i'll just have to buy a new one. I think they should be offereing free system repairs to everyone for a year with the PSN bullshit thats going on. My main concern with doing some kinda system restore is i cant get online to update afterwards right now.

Another option if the restore file system option doesn't work would be formatting the HD.. how do i do that? im sure that one requires a backup >_
 
[quote name='Kenshindono']thanks i'll try that this week. I was gone for most of mothers day weekend so didn't really do much. I borrowed a friends ps3 for now to try maybe backing stuff up or just to have a BD player in the meantime. Doing the 3rd option, the file restore that you mention: do i have to back stuff up? It wont delete my save game data will it?

Another option if the restore file system option doesn't work would be formatting the HD.. how do i do that? im sure that one requires a backup >_
 
EXACT same thing happened to me a little less than 2 weeks ago. I sent mine off to Sony last Wednesday. 40GB fat system. Cost me $99 + $9.95 shipping. They send you out a "coffin" in a couple days like Microsoft used to. I was tempted to get a new one, but can't afford that right now. With the network down, I figured now was as good a time as any to be without it for a couple weeks.
 
These were my three posts from gamefaqs - if you don't mind opening up your ps3, this may fix your ps3:

I believe your blu-ray lens has some dust on it. Try a regular DVD movie to see if that works fine, as there are separate lenses for DVDs and blu-rays. If regular DVDs play fine, you need to get inside the drive and clean the smaller of the two lenses. I've tried one of those discs with the microfiber bristles, but they don't work for me. If you have a Slim, there are four security torx head screws you'll have to drill out in order to get the cover off, unless you happen to have the correct tool. Once that's done, there are a couple of small phillips head screws on the drive. You'll have to bend the crap out of the sheet metal cover in order to see the lenses - make sure you don't upset the plastic pieces in the top of the cover, as these need to stay in place. I was barely able to get a fingertip all the way back on to the blu-ray lens and wipe it clean - a q-tip may help, but it may leave some cotton on the lens. Doing this beats the hell out of getting a new ps3 and losing copyrighted data. Even if you have PSN+ and have cloud saves for copyright protected saves, you'll still lose any movies/TV episodes you downloaded, and you cannot download them without paying for them again. Hope this helps!

omglol - 30 seconds after the above post, I put in the blu-ray for the 2003 Galactica mini-series, and it froze. My landlord recently did a lot of spackling/painting in my apartment, so I knew this was coming. I popped the plastic cover off (I don't even keep the screws in), and there are three screws for the sheet metal cover. I bent that back so that it was sitting vertical. You can now see all of the levers that guide the disc in, and the hub that holds it in place. There are two small phillips head screws at the very front part of the drive housing that connect the top plastic half to the bottom half. After they're out, you can hold the top half open about 30º and get to the lenses. The blu-ray drive is performing perfectly once again. Too funny, the timing.

When you're able to connect a new ps3 to your old one with an ethernet cable, everything gets copied over, including copyrighted saves and movies. With your buddy's fat ps3, it is easier to get into the blu-ray drive, but he has to be careful about two things. There's a small cable with a micro-connector on the left side of the drive, and a ribbon cable on the underside of the drive. He'll have to make sure that the micro-connector is not damaged when he plugs it back in, and ensure that the ribbon cable is properly oriented when he reconnects it. IIRC, it is easier to upset the plastic levers on those old style drives.
 
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[quote name='IAmTheCheapestGamer']You may want to back up files that you don't want to lose, as the file restore thing tells you it may delete corrupted files on it's own without warning you first.

As for the full formatting of the HDD, be prepared for that to take 3 hours or MORE to do.:shock: I believe it depends on the size of your HDD in the system.:cry:

Unfortunately some of the game saves may be locked to your HDD and you'll need to copy EVERYTHING in order to save those files. I had this happen with Mercenaries 2 and the game save I had for it when I switched from my 40gb PS3 to the 120gb slim I have.:whistle2:#

You can go into each save file individually and see if it's copy protected/prohibited or not before trying to copy it and being disappointed.[/QUOTE]

yowza at the 3 hours thing.. hopefully the restore file system option will take care of the problem i have. Out of curiosity whats the best way to back up my saves and stuff? I dont think i have a USB stick big enough. I do have an external HD but i dont know if that would work fine. Not sure if it works with NTSF or what. But if theres any chance i may lose some saves it would ease my mind to back stuff up i guess

That is BS about some saves not transferring. i ran into that with my 360 when i was trying to transfer some saves. Why the hell do companies do that these days? Seriously whats the damn point? Its my god damn save, why cant i move it as i want? I miss the ps2 days of putting everything on a memory card. Funny, because i actually have an old 40 gig like you had =P Honestly i dont have that many saves though since i play 360 more often. But the ones i do have to be transferred

@mrosnwo Hmm only 100 bucks? Thats not quite as bad as 150 but still way high. Dont think i want to mess with that. I'll have to see what happens when i try the option in the system menu.

@Elixirboy thanks for that info, but for me neither DVD's or BDs (or games) work. It doesn't give you the start up icon. One thing you mention though. Hooking two systems up with an ethernet cable... is that how you do a system transfer from one system to another?
 
[quote name='Kenshindono']yowza at the 3 hours thing.. hopefully the restore file system option will take care of the problem i have. Out of curiosity whats the best way to back up my saves and stuff? I dont think i have a USB stick big enough. I do have an external HD but i dont know if that would work fine. Not sure if it works with NTSF or what. But if theres any chance i may lose some saves it would ease my mind to back stuff up i guess

That is BS about some saves not transferring. i ran into that with my 360 when i was trying to transfer some saves. Why the hell do companies do that these days? Seriously whats the damn point? Its my god damn save, why cant i move it as i want? I miss the ps2 days of putting everything on a memory card. Funny, because i actually have an old 40 gig like you had =P Honestly i dont have that many saves though since i play 360 more often. But the ones i do have to be transferred.[/QUOTE]
I think they locked some of the game saves so that people couldn't just load up someone else's completed game save and just automatically get tropheis for it. At least that's the only reason I could think of for why any company would lock their saves anymore.:roll:

The external HD you have would have to be formatted FAT32 in order to back up the saves/files to it, I believe. Otherwise it wouldn't work to save them.

The restore file system option should take about 30-45 seconds as opposed to three hours for the full formatting. However, you will have to restore your video/theme settings, such as which resolution the PS3 is showing video at on your tv. The whole process should take less than 5-10 minutes as long as your hard drive isn't too fragmented.
 
ya but they could just lock it to a profile for playing it if thats the case.. i.e. you gotta be signed in as a certain user to play, like the 360 does their saves. Theres no reason to phsycially lock the save down so you can not move it around. None at all. It seriously pisses me off. its my save, why cant i back it up or move it if i need to for crap like this?

Shit @ the fat32 thing. My externals are all NTSF of course. I gotta find a way to back up my saves just in case. I may have to buy a 16gb flash stick or something. Thanks for the warning about themes and stuff. I actually have a custom theme i made that now that i think about it i dont have anymore since the cpu it was made on died. I better back that up and take note of all my video settings. Pain in the ass. Id love to just run the restore file option and see if it works but i really better back my saves up just in case. I hope to hell the saves can at least be copied and i dont have to do the whole system backup option
 
Maybe this will help..happened on my previous PS3.. PS3 shuts down while playing COD:MW then stopped recognizing any discs.. so started playing some of my PSN games saved on my PS3.. found it by accident, when I pressed the midde/home (Playstation) button to answer a message, the disc was recognized. So basically everytime I wanted to play my disc games I had to start a demo or a game saved on HDD then press home button to access the disc I wanted to play. PS3 lasted 2 more years after that, finally sold it after 2 YLODs.
 
[quote name='Kenshindono']Hooking two systems up with an ethernet cable... is that how you do a system transfer from one system to another?[/QUOTE]

System Settings / Data Transfer Utility

Before you do this, remember to deactivate your current PS3, or you may have problems downloading from PSN on your new system. I believe this is done in the same place where you sign into PSN. If you don't want to wait until next year when PSN is back up, your new system can be activated with a phone call to Sony.

Backing your system up this way will copy everything on your current PS3, including copyright-protected data, like certain game saves and video content downloaded from PSN. If you do this, you may want to delete game install data, as it would be quicker to reinstall that from the disc after your new PS3 is up and running.
 
[quote name='FlipSide']Maybe this will help..happened on my previous PS3.. PS3 shuts down while playing COD:MW then stopped recognizing any discs.. so started playing some of my PSN games saved on my PS3.. found it by accident, when I pressed the midde/home (Playstation) button to answer a message, the disc was recognized. So basically everytime I wanted to play my disc games I had to start a demo or a game saved on HDD then press home button to access the disc I wanted to play. PS3 lasted 2 more years after that, finally sold it after 2 YLODs.[/QUOTE]

thanks i'll try that if i cant get it working right. I havent done anything because i havent gotten a 16gb flash stick to back stuff up yet. all my external HDs are NTSF formated so cant use them. I need to find time to run to Frys which isn't very close to me.

[quote name='Elixirboy']System Settings / Data Transfer Utility

Before you do this, remember to deactivate your current PS3, or you may have problems downloading from PSN on your new system. I believe this is done in the same place where you sign into PSN. If you don't want to wait until next year when PSN is back up, your new system can be activated with a phone call to Sony.

Backing your system up this way will copy everything on your current PS3, including copyright-protected data, like certain game saves and video content downloaded from PSN. If you do this, you may want to delete game install data, as it would be quicker to reinstall that from the disc after your new PS3 is up and running.[/QUOTE]

deactivate the current ps3? really? you have to do that? As you mentioned regardless, thats kinda moot now since PSN has been down forever. Sounds pretty easy when PSN is up other than the part of deactivating yoru current system. I would think that would all just transfer over when you do the switch.

I just hope that i dont have to mess with any of this at the moment and i can restore the crap once i get a card to bakc it up
 
just an update, tried the file system restore option today after tediously backing up my saves... didn't seem to do anything. I guess i can go in and try each one in a row all the way up to a full update but i dont know if that will work. Think i seriously borked the system. I do find it strange if the BD lens died right when i screwed up with a hard reset though

Maybe i'll just try doing a system update first and see if that helps *sigh* looks like i need a new system, and i missed out on the amazon deal the other day
 
[quote name='FlipSide']Maybe this will help..happened on my previous PS3.. PS3 shuts down while playing COD:MW then stopped recognizing any discs.. so started playing some of my PSN games saved on my PS3.. found it by accident, when I pressed the midde/home (Playstation) button to answer a message, the disc was recognized. So basically everytime I wanted to play my disc games I had to start a demo or a game saved on HDD then press home button to access the disc I wanted to play. PS3 lasted 2 more years after that, finally sold it after 2 YLODs.[/QUOTE]

Same thing happened to me right when Uncharted 2 came out. I went out and bought a new slim PS3 only to discover that my old system would recognize discs if I started a game/demo on the HDD. Luckily I hadn't opened the slim so I took it back for a refund. It's still going today even though it is kind of a hassle to have to start something else before I can play a disc-based game.
 
i recall trying that but dont think it worked. I'll give it another go. Do you just start, like a PSN demo or something, get into the game and then hit the home button? Or do you hit the home button as its starting up, or what? I think i went into a game, got to the title screen, and hit home but didn't see an icon.

Its worth mentioning that the blue light is on. I think thats the 'disk in system' light from what i recall
 
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